CRISIS IN RAILWAY WORLD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17362, 8 January 1920, Page 7

CRISIS IN RAILWAY WORLD.

DECISION ON STATE OFFER. DISCUSSION OF THE TERMS. REJECTION BY 30 BRANCH!'! .By Telecraph— Association—Copyright (Revived 5.40 p.m.) ■ A and N.Z.-Reuter. LONDON. *«. 6. ! In 30 large centres the railwaynien have rejected the Government's ■ terms. Only two so far have accepted them. Much importance is attached to to-morrow's meeting of railway delegates to decide the matter. The peace of the railway worl dc pends on the happenings of the «xt few days. The Trade Union lead- .-h are divided as regards the outcon.. of the task of Mr. J. H. Thomas, organising secretary of the Amalga- ! mated Society of Railway Servants, and his associates, that • , 'i persuade the delegates t. M-rpt tho Government's offer. T l .vill exer the utmost pressure co .are a fit ourable verdict, and as & Mt, res-' - "ill try to obtain a pfiponercf-.it ■■' the final decision.' The will be given every opporf \-.'. to J; """ 0 : Hetails. j The conterenco may last three I days. Anyhow, a very great tussle J between the extremals and the moderates is anticipated. In the I event of another en'is the executive j may resort to a bal:ot. I Public opinion is f.H-' expressed . that the men would be u .viae to reject the offer. xMeanwiuie the extremists' standpoint is that they won ,the last strike, and they ,ve of opinion that they could win ar. other. Onposition to the offer is based on a general desire to the original demand, namely, that the 33s bonus should be added to the highest rate , of pay of each grad-\ ~nd the total ,made the permanen' standard rate on the ground that this has already been conceded to drivers and firemen.